Forced Psychiatric Treatment: Is Anyone Safe?

All 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. have laws that permit involuntary psychiatric treatment, based on several landmark Supreme Court cases. The premise is safety for society, yet the results are catastrophic....

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: BAKER ACT RIGHTS

When a person is taken into custody under the mental health law in Florida and sent for an involuntary psychiatric examination it can be very scary for them and their friends and family. Commonly referred to as a...

The Hidden Dangers of the Baker Act: How Florida’s Mental Health Law is Failing Families

For thousands of Florida parents, the Baker Act has become a nightmare rather than a safeguard. Originally designed as an emergency intervention for those who pose an immediate danger to themselves or others, the law...

The Baker Act and Your Rights: One Attorney’s Perspective

By: Dr. Stephen Talmadge Ph.D. psychology | Attorney INTRODUCTION I will address many questions about Baker Acts and will present a brief history and some facts about prevalence. I will talk about whether the Baker...

Testimonials – The Baker Act

These are letters and emails thanking CCHR Florida for the help provided to families: "Thanks for sending the documents, for all of your help and encouragement, and for being so accessible when I felt utterly helpless....

CCHR Florida Takes Home the Platinum Award for Government Relations in Campaign to Protect Children

Recognized for their outstanding work, CCHR organized a campaign that helped pass key pieces of legislation protecting children and parental rights. On October 12th, the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on...

CCHR Florida Wins the 2022 Social Impact Award: Campaign Protects Children and Parental Rights

The international Social Impact Awards honor communicators who use their platforms to better their community and the global community at large. The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)...

CCHR Florida Receives PRNEWS Nonprofit Award 2022 for Social Responsibility

Awarded for outstanding work, CCHR developed a successful strategy to organize a campaign resulting in the passing of legislation to protect parental rights. Many apply but only few are chosen. Each year PRNEWS...

Parents’ Bill of Rights – The Right to Help in Times of Crisis

As a parent in Florida, you have the right to help your minor child in a time of crisis before the initiation of a Baker Act. Schools are required to make reasonable attempts to notify a parent before initiating a...

Parents’ Bill of Rights – The Right to Be Notified

As a parent in Florida, you have the right to be notified immediately if your minor child is removed from school, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity and taken to a receiving facility for an...

Parental Rights and The Baker Act

In 2021, Florida created the Parents’ Bill of Rights. This new section of Florida law makes it clear that it is a fundamental right of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and mental health of his...

CCHR Florida Offering Baker Act Continuing Education Course for Professionals

Designed for mental health professionals, the virtual course is delivered by an attorney and covers the basic human rights impacted by the mental health law. Florida’s mental health law, commonly referred to as...

Baker Acting of Children: Citing Abuse, Advocates Demanding Change to Law

Over 37,000 Baker Acts were initiated in Florida on children during 2018/2019 and advocates are demanding a change to the law to protect children from abuse. The Florida mental health law, commonly called the Baker...

CCHR’s Baker Act Continuing Education Courses Help Protect Citizens from Abuse

The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) began hosting continuing education courses for attorneys in 2018 in response to the alarming number of people taken into custody each year under...

Watchdog Group Demands Change to Laws Governing the Baker Acting of Children

The Baker Act has been a formidable survivor of reformation and according to the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, changes to protect children are needed. Decades of abuse and loss of parental rights follow in the...